The future of Sussex school could be put ‘at risk’ if plans for hundreds of homes and an IKEA go ahead, consultants have warned.

Tweaks to plans submitted to Adur District Council for the Lancing development, at New Monks Farm, have failed to overcome objections of the historic Lancing College.

Detailed submissions have been sent on behalf of the school by Teal Planning, which called in transport experts to scrutinise New Monks Farm Development Limited’s evidence.

The developer has refuted claims the college will be threatened.

In a letter to the council, copied to government cabinet ministers Sajid Javid and Chris Grayling, Marie Nagy, director of Teal, said: “The operational effects on Lancing College will be so significant that they will put at risk its ability to continue as a viable business within what are very competitive education and event management sectors.

“The risks to Lancing College will have very significant implications for the local economy and community.”

The letter indicated the school would seek government intervention if the council did grant planning permission, arguing the plans were so significant they should be called-in for determination by the Secretary of State.

The school has concerns over plans to prevent right turning traffic in and out of Coombes Road.

Its consultants claimed the move could lead to a 690,158km increase in annual car journeys.

A spokesman for the developer said it would respond to the college in due course – but at this time it was ‘prioritising our efforts working with the statutory consultees finalising their agreement to our regeneration plans’, which they said would secure the future of Shoreham Airport, among other benefits including 600 new homes.

“We cannot believe anyone will take seriously a comment that our development will threaten the future of the college.”